Local News

The Illinois Valley Fire District knocked down a residential structure fire near Selma on Sunday. IVFD, American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the structure fire in the 900-block of Reeves Creek Road at 10:42 a.m. yesterday. Firefighters successfully contained and extinguished the blaze before completing mop-up operations. No injuries were reported and there was no spread to adjacent structures or the surrounding wildland. IVFD officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation. Rural Metro Fire Department provided district coverage while the scene was active.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department halted a rekindled debris pile just inches from a structure in the Wilderville area late last week. On Friday afternoon, Rural Metro crews from the Wilderville Station responded to the reported fire in the 200-block of Round Prairie Road. Rural Metro officials said the fire scorched approximately 1/4-acre of grass and vegetation as a result of past open burn that sprung to life in afternoon winds. Officials remind residents that old burns that are thought to be out can reignite in warm and dry weather, days to weeks later. They urge people to use their hands to feel for heat in old burn locations and use water to cool them down.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will cover a variety of topics during its bi-weekly workshop session today. The City Council will open the workshop with a presentation from the Grants Pass Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). Next up will be a staff presentation on the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) building disposal followed by a review of the Resting in Public Spaces Ordinance. The session will conclude with a look at the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop starts at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

The Oregon Supreme Court has reinstated a $3.2 million verdict against Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett and his company, Barnett Resorts, LLC, finding that their 2017 purchase of the Osprey Point RV Resort in Lakeside was built on premeditated deceit and elder financial abuse. In a narrow 4–3 decision, the state's highest court held that Barnett and his wife, Stefani, were fully aware that more than 70 mostly retired residents held "lifetime" membership contracts -- many of whom lived at the park year-round -- but never disclosed any intent to honor those agreements. After initially honoring a handful of memberships, the Barnetts abruptly notified all members that their contracts were void, enabling them to acquire the property for nearly $1 million below its $2.8 million appraised value. Although the Oregon Court of Appeals previously reversed the elder abuse ruling, the Supreme Court reinstated it, emphasizing the deliberate and deceptive nature of the Barnetts' actions. A Coos County jury had awarded $500,000 for breach of contract and $2.7 million in triple damages under Oregon's elder abuse statute. Justice Aruna Masih's majority opinion stressed that this was precisely the kind of malicious financial exploitation elder-abuse laws exist to prevent.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters closed out the month of April with another strong effort protecting the local community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 655 calls for service along with 254 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 48 arrests, 43 citations, 53 warnings and nine highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 79 traffic stops in the city and they made 28 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). They also responded to three drug overdoses and made seven drug deflection referrals. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 12 potential troublemakers while citing four people and warning three others. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 75 calls last week including 33 for emergency medical service, two reports of fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, three rescue situations, one assist to another agency and five false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,058 emergency calls.

 

The Grants Pass Public Works Department has announced that "Drinking Water Week" is underway and it runs through May 10th. The mark the occasion, Public Works is offering tours of the Water Treatment and Water Restoration Plants to help people learn about the journey our water takes in Grants Pass. The Water Filtration Plant treats water drawn from the Rogue River before it's released to city reservoirs and -- ultimately -- your home or business. The Water Restoration Plant treats the water that leaves your home's or business's drainage pipes, making it safe to release downstream into the river. Tours last approximately one hour and are limited to eight people at a time. Both plants have stairs, so comfortable shoes are required. Tours are available at the Grants Pass Water Treatment and Restoration Plants on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling (541)-450-6110.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for attacking and injuring two people at a city park early today. The Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Jacob Robert Frazho for the incident at Kesterson Park on NE Evelyn Avenue at 12:28 this morning. Police said a hysterical woman called 9-1-1 and reported a male subject had stabbed her boyfriend with a tent pole. Dispatchers said the woman was screaming and would not answer questions while officers rushed to the scene. An investigation determined that Frazho stabbed a man with a tent pole, causing lacerations and bleeding. After the man fell to the ground, the suspect focused his attention on the man's girlfriend by striking her multiple times and throwing Gatorade powder in her eyes. Medics responded to render aid to the victims. It was unclear whether anyone was transported to the hospital. Officers placed Frazho into custody and he invoked his right to remain silent, refusing to speak with officers. The reason for the violent attack was unknown. Frazho was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Assault, 4th-Degree Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for attacking his father at a home in the Wilderville area yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 34-year-old Corey Hayes King for the incident in the 5200-block of Fish Hatchery Road on Thursday at 3:52 p.m.. Deputies said King's father called 9-1-1 to report that his son was getting violent and hit him in the chest with a rock in his fist. The son then picked up some bolt cutters, hit him in the chest with them and chased him out of the house. He was not seriously injured and declined medical attention. According to the report, King had been very angry and paranoid lately with his violent behavior escalating. He is said to be a regular user of methamphetamine. Upon arrival, deputies placed King into custody without further incident. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Menacing and Domestic Harassment. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two people on statewide felony warrants while looking into a theft complaint at a city park yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at Morrison Centennial Park on Rogue River Highway on Thursday during the noon hour. Police said a citizen reported that a man and woman had stolen a ladder that they were going to use to scale a fence and trespass at a church adjacent to the park. The suspects were later identified as 39-year-old Jeffrey Allen McCracken and 39-year-old Crystil Marie Ann York. They fled when officers attempted to contact them. Officers determined the theft complaint was unfounded, but they discovered that both McCracken and York were wanted on Oregon State warrants for Parole Violation. McCracken was on post-prison supervision for an Assault conviction and York was on parole for an Identity Theft conviction. McCracken was placed into custody near Grover's Electric & Plumbing while York was placed into custody near Li'l Pantry Market & Deli. Both were lodged at the Josephine County Jail on no-bail detainers.